The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the State’s Digital Equity Plan, marking a significant step towards providing high-speed internet access to all residents of New Jersey. Under the Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, NTIA awarded New Jersey $1,176,741 in October 2022 to develop a plan aimed at eliminating barriers to digital connectivity. The NTIA also announced that New Jersey is eligible to apply for over $18 million from their newly introduced Digital Equity Capacity Grant for states, designed to help implement their Digital Equity Plan.
"President Biden is committed to ensuring everyone in New Jersey and across America has access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Commerce’s work building high-speed Internet infrastructure is only part of the equation. Families in New Jersey need the tools and skills required to make the most of that Internet connection, and that’s the $18.0 million opportunity we’re announcing today. President Biden’s digital equity initiative will make the promise of the Internet come alive for everyone in New Jersey, no matter where they live or what their background is."
“I want to thank President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, Administrator Davidson, and our congressional delegation for providing transformative investments for our communities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “One of our foremost goals, post-COVID, is building resiliency, and that starts with equity. COVID laid bare the stark digital disparities that exist in certain communities, particularly for our students. Ensuring that every resident has access to the basic tools needed to start off on equal footing in today’s world will help set them up for better success in life.”
“Thank you to the Biden Administration and the NTIA for their ongoing support of our efforts to bridge the digital divide across the Garden State,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “The approved plan will build upon our progress toward addressing disparities in digital access, skills, and affordability, particularly in our underserved communities.”
The NJBPU Office of Broadband Connectivity (OBC) conducted public listening sessions, surveys, and webinars to gather perspectives from diverse stakeholders and ensure that the State’s Digital Equity Plan accurately reflects the needs and aspirations of underserved communities across New Jersey.
The Digital Equity Act (DEA), part of President Biden’s Investing in American Agenda under the Internet for All initiative, provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs promoting digital equity and inclusion. The program aims to ensure all people have skills, technology, and capacity necessary to benefit fully from a digital economy.
The DEA established three main grant programs: 1) State Digital Equity Planning Grant; 2) State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for implementing State Digital Equity Plans; and 3) Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program for private sector entities engaged in digital inclusion activities.
The announcement regarding applications for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program will be made later this year by NTIA.
For more information about The NJBPU Office of Broadband Connectivity and state plans ensuring Internet access for all residents visit www.nj.gov/connect.
NJBPU is a state agency responsible for regulating essential utility services such as natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater management telecommunications and cable television at reasonable rates while ensuring safe service delivery.
